WNYT.com

Out of seclusion, Romney to headline NH fundraiser

Updated at: 07/14/2013 1:35 AM
By STEVE PEOPLES

(AP) BOSTON - Mitt Romney is returning to the political stage _ at least briefly _ to attend an August fundraiser for the New Hampshire GOP, the first time the 2012 Republican presidential nominee will headline a political fundraiser since his November loss.

The Aug. 6 event will be held in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region near Romney’s summer home in Wolfeboro.

"New Hampshire has always been a special place for Gov. Romney. It’s the state where he launched his presidential campaign, where he spends time with his family every summer, and it’s a place where he will always have many friends and loyal supporters," New Hampshire GOP chair Jennifer Horn said, adding that she’s "thrilled" Romney has agreed to help the state party.

Romney, 66, has spent recent months largely in seclusion moving between his homes in southern California and central New Hampshire. But he has hinted at a desire to play a more active role ahead of the 2014 midterm elections.

He told the Wall Street Journal in May that he plans to re-emerge in ways that would "help shape national priorities."

His brand suffered after losing what was widely considered a winnable election, but Romney maintains a national fundraising network that could help generate millions of dollars for candidates, super PACs and party committees. He attended a three-day summit last month in Utah that featured prominent Republican fundraisers, a handful of potential 2016 GOP presidential candidates and even some high-profile Democratic strategists.

The New Hampshire Democratic Party seized on news of Romney’s August appearance to launch its own fundraising appeal.

"It didn’t take long for Republicans to abandon their pledge to rebrand after a disastrous 2012 election," the state party wrote in a message asking supporters to donate $12. "New Hampshire Republicans are bringing back their standard bearer _ Mitt Romney _ and his infamous 47 percent comments for an exclusive fundraiser on Lake Winnipesaukee this summer. "